My apologies for not posting as much – a girl can get worn out, yanno!
And I am worn out.
I’m gonna tell y’all something that up till now I’ve only shared with family and one close friend.
I struggle on a daily basis with chronic back pain and have since I was 18. It’s been a long time since I’ve last seen a doctor about this but it’s getting to the point where I need to do so, and soon. Over the course of the past week, I’ve had my face go numb twice. This my dear readers, is a very scary feeling and experience. Very scary indeed.
Over the past few months, I’ve had other symptoms rearing their ugly head as well:
weakened grip in both hands (they also spasm when I pick up things and I’ve thrown/dropped things quite a bit – pray for my cell phone, won’t you? The poor thing has been dropped more than I care to admit)
severe lower back pain and muscle tension (I can’t stand/sit for much longer than 10-15 minutes unless I’m using my heating pad)
difficulty swallowing (this has happened just a couple of times but again, pretty scary)
What bites is that right now, like many, many Americans, I do not have health insurance. I recently applied for government assistance with that and am hoping (no, praying) that it goes through.
I am sure these issues are complicated by a very bad habit I have had since college – “popping” my neck, shoulders, and back. I do it because it temporarily relieves the pain. Everyone I have ever seen for my pain issues has always given me a lower back brochure and exercises and sent me on my way. Nevermind that until recently, it was all in my upper back, shoulders, and neck.
So please bear with me as I navigate this very bumpy and painful road. Sometimes I may just have to disappear for a bit and hopefully I will be able to post an explanation. But if I drop off the face of the earth again, just say a little prayer for me and my buddy pain…